Moscow High students walk out, protest gun violence

Several Anchorage high schools are conducting walkouts Friday to mark the 19th anniversary of the mass shooting at Columbine High School in Colorado, part of a campaign against gun violence revitalized by survivors of this year's Parkland, Fla. high-school shooting.

A website hosted by Indivisible, a group that opposes the Trump agenda, listed 10 protests and walkouts planned for Charlotte, Davidson, Gaston County, Waxhaw, Concord, Mooresville and Tega Cay, S.C. They're among more than 2,300 planned across the country.

Students across the metro will walk out of class Friday in an organized effort to protest gun violence. They also want the event to empower students across the country and increase the turnout of young voters at the November midterm elections.

At a town hall Monday, the chancellor of New York City's education department urged students not to walk out on Friday.

ABC 17 was live at Hickman High School's walkout today.

Local students joined the nationwide walkout to protest gun violence, April 20, 2018.

"I think it's interesting hearing their concepts, because right now they are being protected by people with firearms", said Polster, referring to multiple police officers who were parked nearby.

"We were really upset", she said.

"Being able to be here, seeing people from other schools, people from our school", said Mercedes McGonigle with Parkhill South.

The Parkland shooting claimed 17 lives and the Columbine one claimed 13. Participants in the march were wearing orange, holding up signs saying "Fix this before I have to text my mom from under a desk" and chanting, "The people united will never be divided".

And, to be fair, many commenters also supported the teens' decision to assemble, and for that, thank you. The district said teachers are not allowed to participate, but may walk with students to ensure their safety.

Even so, students at many NY schools are planning to rally at the city's Washington Square Park.

However, Columbine officials are less enthusiastic about the walkouts.

"April has always been a time to respectfully remember our loss and also support efforts to make our communities a better place", the letter read.